JPH04133938A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate jam treatment and to use a space efficiently by rotating an opening/closing unit forming a carrier path including a transfer means arranged oppositely to an image carrying body in a space in a device, separating it from the carrying body and by providing a carrier path for carrying paper into the space. CONSTITUTION:At an opening/closing unit 90, a transfer and a peeling chargers 25 and 26 arranged oppositely to a sensitizing body 20, a carrier belt 36, a lower roller 32a of a resist roller and a carrier roller 34b are integrally mounted in capable of motion. The opening/closing unit 90 is made rotatable in a space R formed in a body through a supporting shaft 92, and a generated jam is easily removed by this rotation. Also, paper from a first carrier roller 43 is switched at a switching gate 40 and fed to the space R by a second carrier means 43, which enables use of the space R as a tray.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is applied, for example, as an electronic copying machine.

(Prior Art) In a conventional image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-12'6544, image formation occurs near a photoreceptor corresponding to an image carrier. In order to facilitate the removal of paper jams, it has been common to have a so-called clamshell structure, which is divided into two casings with the paper transport path as the boundary.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the clamshell structure as described above, heavy items such as an optical system, a photoreceptor, a developing device, and a cleaning device are disposed in the upper unit. A considerable amount of force is required to open and close the unit, and because it requires a considerable amount of force, the operation is dangerous, and the structure of the opening and closing mechanism must also be strengthened, which increases costs. there were. When the upper unit is opened, the upper unit is tilted, which causes problems such as toner spilling from the developing device, cleaning device, etc. of the upper unit, and staining the inside of the device.

Further, the space required to allow the upper unit to move when the upper unit is opened is quite large, and such space is completely wasted during normal copying operations.

Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to remove paper jammed in the conveyance path without dividing the main body of the device into two casings, and moreover, the space inside the device and its vicinity can be used as effectively as possible, and even more efficiently. The purpose is to provide an image forming device that helps realize offices.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention forms an image on an image bearing member, and also provides a transfer unit arranged opposite to the image bearing member. The first conveyance means guides and conveys the paper between the image carrier and the transfer means, and after the transfer means transfers the image formed on the image carrier onto the paper, the first conveyance means transports the paper toward the downstream side. In the image forming apparatus for conveyance, a support means for movably supporting the first conveyance means and the transfer means in a direction away from the image carrier, and a separating operation of the first conveyance means due to the action of the support means. A gap is formed in the main body of the device to allow the
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a second conveyance means for guiding and conveying the paper conveyed by the first conveyance means.

(Function) If paper becomes jammed in the conveyance path during image forming operation, the first conveyance means and the transfer means are opened.

As a result, the first conveyance means moves into the gap, and a gap is formed between the image carrier and the first conveyance means and the transfer means, thereby making it possible to remove the paper. Furthermore, since a sheet of paper on which an image has been formed is normally guided into the gap by the second conveying means, it also serves as a sheet discharge section.

(Example) The present invention will be described below with reference to the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIG. 1 shows the internal configuration of the entire apparatus. Image forming process constituent means 2 for charging, exposure, development, transfer, peeling, cleaning, neutralization, fixing, etc. are built into the apparatus main body 1, and On the upper surface of the main body 1 of the apparatus, there is provided a document mounting table (hereinafter referred to as a platen glass) 3 on which a document is set.

Further, a paper feed cassette 10.11 serving as a paper feed unit that stores paper such as plain paper to be supplied to the image forming process configuration means 2 is inserted in the lower part of the apparatus main body 1. A tray 12 for collecting fixed sheets is provided on one upper side.

The image forming process configuration means 2 has the following configuration. That is, a drum-shaped photoreceptor 20 serving as an image carrier is arranged approximately in the center of the apparatus main body 1.
Around the photoconductor 20, a conventionally known electrostatic charger 21 and an exposure device (optical system) are arranged along the direction of rotation thereof.
22 exposure section 22a, developing device 23, transfer charger 25 as transfer means, peeling charger 26, cleaning device 2
7. Static eliminators 28 are sequentially arranged.

Furthermore, inside the apparatus main body 1, the paper feed cassette 10.
A paper transport path 31 that guides the paper automatically fed from 11 through the image transfer section 30 between the photoreceptor 20 and the transfer charger 25 to the tray 12 that is detachably provided on the left side of the apparatus main body 1. is formed.

Various devices are disposed along this paper transport path 31 as a first transport means. In other words, the image transfer section 30
, align the leading edge of the paper on the upstream side of the
A pair of registration rollers 32 are disposed to convey the paper while synchronizing the conveyance of the paper with the rotational movement of the photoreceptor 20, and on the downstream side, a fixing roller consisting of a heat roller 33a and a press roller 33b that rolls into contact with the heat roller 33a. A device 33;
A roller 34a and a roller 34 are downstream of this fixing device 33.
A pair of rollers 34 whose rollers b are in rolling contact with each other is provided, and a pair of paper discharge rollers 35 is further disposed downstream thereof,
A switch 35a for detecting paper ejection is provided here. In addition, the peeling charger 26 and the fixing device 3
3, a conveyor belt 36 is provided. These various devices arranged along the paper transport path 31 are configured to be able to operate integrally in a direction away from the photoreceptor 20 as an opening/closing unit 90 which will be described in detail later. . In the lower part of the inside of the device main body 1, there is a gap R that allows the opening operation of the opening/closing unit 90.
is formed.

A pickup roller 37 for taking out sheets of paper P1 and P2 one by one is located near the mounting section of the paper feed cassette 10.11.
Separation and conveyance means 38 is provided which includes a conveyance roller that receives the sheets P1 and P2 taken out via the pickup roller 37 and sends them to the paper conveyance path 31, and a separation roller.

By the way, a paper conveyance means, which is one of the features of the present invention, is disposed in the gap R from various devices disposed along the paper conveyance path 31. The structure is such that the sheet on which the image has been fixed and has been formed is guided and conveyed into the gap R. In other words, the fixing device 33
It is rotatably provided between the downstream roller pair 34 and the paper ejection roller 35, and the conveyance direction of the paper is rotated between the paper ejection roller pair 35 and the downstream roller pair 34.
A gate 40 is provided for switching between the direction and the gap R direction. A paper guide plate 41 and a rotatably provided gate 42 for switching the paper transport direction are provided from the gate 40 toward the gap R from the upstream side in the paper transport direction. A pair of paper discharge rollers 43 is rotatably provided on one side of the paper conveyance direction switched by the gate 42 to discharge the paper into the gap R in an inverted state so that the surface on which the image is formed is on the bottom side. A switch 43a for detecting paper ejection is provided here. On the other side of the sheet conveyance direction which is switched by the gate 42, there are three wires rotatably connected in the directions of arrows A and B shown in the figure, respectively, in order to switch the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet in the conveying direction in a so-called switchback system. rollers 44a, 44b
and 44c are provided, and further downstream thereof,
A paper guide plate 45 that guides the conveyance of the paper, a pair of rollers 46 that are rotatably in contact with each other so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions, and a switch 47 that detects the paper are provided near the rollers 44a and 44b, respectively. Paper conveyance operations in these mechanisms will be described later.

Next, the exposure device 22 illuminates the back of the document set on the platen glass 3 provided on the top surface of the device main body 1 with an exposure lamp 51 as a light source surrounded by a reflector 50, and the light reflected from the document is illuminated. The optical image is transferred to the first reflecting mirror 52, the second reflecting mirror 53, and the third reflecting mirror 54.
The light image transmitted through the lens 55 is then guided to the lens 55 through the fourth reflection mirror 56, the fifth reflection mirror 57, the sixth reflection mirror 58, and the slit glass 59.
The photoreceptor is guided to the photoreceptor 20 through the following sequentially.

The exposure lamp 51 and the first reflection mirror 52 surrounded by the reflector 40 are mounted on a first carriage (not shown) that is movable back and forth along the lower surface of the platen glass 3, and The mirror 53 and the third reflective mirror 54 are mounted on a second carriage (not shown) that moves in the same direction at half the speed of the first carriage, and these first and second carriages While moving from left to right in the state shown in FIG. 1 using a carriage shaft or the like as a guide, light is irradiated onto the document set on the platen glass 3 to form a light image corresponding to the image of the document on the photoreceptor 20. It is designed for slit exposure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 60 is provided near the platen glass on the top surface of the apparatus main body 1, through which the operator sets copying conditions and the like.

As described in detail in FIG. 3, the operation panel 60 is provided with a copy key 61 at the far right end for instructing the apparatus main body 1 to start a copying operation. To the left of this copy key 61 is a numeric keypad 62 for setting and inputting the number of copies, etc.
, a clear key 63 that clears and sets the set copy conditions to the standard state, a preheat key 64 that switches and sets the power saving mode and standard mode, and stores the set copy conditions in the -H memory (not shown) by the closing operation. an interrupt key 6 for storing the copying conditions, allowing copying operations based on other copying conditions, and resetting the copying conditions stored in the memory by re-entering the key;
5 is provided. To the left of these, there is a density setting section 66 for setting the density of the copied image, and a section for inputting the operator's intention as "YESJ, rNOj, rHELPJ" in order to provide information such as how to set the copying conditions of the main body 1 in an interactive manner. Input unit 67 to set the magnification of the copy image to 50% to 2
00% in 1% increments are provided, and the upper part of these drawings shows the condition setting status of the apparatus main body 1 or the copying condition setting method associated with the input to the input section 67. A display section 69 for displaying information is provided. Further to the left of these, a paper size specification section 70 for specifying the paper size, a document size specification section 71 for specifying the document size, and abnormal conditions of the apparatus main body 1 are displayed using figures that are easy for the operator to recognize. A display section 72 and an edit setting section 73 for setting various image edits are provided.

At the leftmost end of these operation panels 60, there is a transport path selection key 74, which is a feature of the present invention, and which, when pressed, selectively sets the transport path on the downstream side of the fixing device 33 described above. In the vicinity thereof, there are provided an indicator 74a that lights up when the transport path selection key 74 is pressed once, and an indicator 74b that lights up when the transport path selection key 74 is pressed twice. Incidentally, if it is turned on three times, it is configured so that it returns to the state in which it has not been turned on even - times.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the control section of the main body mainly related to the input of the conveyance path selection key 74 will be explained.

At the center of the drawing is a main processor 80 that controls overall control of the copying operation of the main body 1 of the apparatus. On the input side of the main processor 80, an operation panel 60 is provided with the above-mentioned copy key 61, a conveyance path selection key 74, etc., and the above-mentioned paper conveyance path is provided via an input interface circuit 81. Switch 35as 43as 47
is connected. On the output side of the main processor 80, via an output interface circuit 82, there is provided a solenoid 83 that rotates the gate 40 clockwise/counterclockwise in an on/off operation, and a solenoid 83 that turns the gate 40 clockwise/counterclockwise in an on/off operation. A solenoid 84 is connected to the solenoid 84 for biasing the rotation clockwise/counterclockwise.

Furthermore, the output side of the main processor 80 is connected via an output interface circuit 82 to a motor 85 which is a drive source for each roller and the like. Furthermore, the main processor 80 is connected via an output interface circuit 82, and in order to intermittent the driving force of the motor 85,
A clutch 86 is provided between the rollers 34, a clutch 87 is provided between the rollers 43, and the rollers 44 a s 44 b, 4.
A latch 88 is provided between the roller 4c and the roller 46, and a driving force transmission system 89 is further provided between the roller 46 and the roller 46 for intermittent driving force to the roller 46 and for causing the roller 46 to rotate in forward and reverse directions.

Here, operations in these control units related to turning on the conveyance path selection key 74 will be explained. First, conveyance path selection key 7
4 is not engaged, the solenoid 83 is turned off, the gate 40 is rotated clockwise, only the clutch 86 is turned on, and the driving force of the motor 85 is transferred to the roller 3.
4, the paper is guided to the paper ejection tray 12 via the paper ejection roller 34, and the paper ejection is detected by the switch 34a.

Once the conveyance path selection key 74 is turned on, the display 74a on the operation panel 60 lights up, the solenoid □ door 83 is turned on, and the gate 40 is urged to rotate counterclockwise. The solenoid 84 is turned off, the gate 42 is urged to rotate counterclockwise, and only the clutch 87 is turned on to transmit the driving force of the motor 85 to the roller 43.
The paper is guided to the gap R via the paper guide plate 41 and the paper discharge roller 43, and a switch 43a detects whether the paper is discharged.

If the transport path selection key 74 has been pressed twice, the display 74b on the operation panel 60 lights up and the solenoid 8
3 is turned on, the gate 40 is rotated counterclockwise, and furthermore, the solenoid 84 is turned on, and the gate 42 is rotated and biased in the training direction.
Then, the driving force transmission system 89 is turned on to transmit the driving force of the motor 85 to the rollers 44a, 44b, and 44c. Therefore, the paper is first conveyed from the rollers 44a and 44b by the roller 46, and the paper is detected by the switch 47. be done.

When the paper is conveyed to a state where the paper is not detected by the switch 47, the driving force transmission system 89 reversely rotates the roller 46, and the clutch 87 is turned on to drive the motor 8.
5 is transmitted to the roller 43. Then, the paper is conveyed by the roller 46 to the nipping portion of the rollers 44b and 44c, and the paper is conveyed by the gate 42 to the υ1 paper roller 43.
The switch 43a
detects paper ejection.

In such a configuration, the two types of conveyance paths for conveying the paper to the gap R each have the following characteristics. In other words, the conveyance path in which the paper is directly discharged from the paper guide plate 41 to the gap R by the rollers 43 without going through the rollers 44a, 44b, and 44c is short in itself, so the discharge speed is fast, and multiple sheets can be If you continue to copy the originals in ascending order,
The copied sheets are stacked in the gap R in accordance with the copying order of the originals, and are already aligned when the copied sheets are taken out, which provides an extremely convenient effect.

On the other hand, on the conveyance path where the paper is discharged into the gap R by the roller 43 via the rollers 44 a % 44 b % 44 c, the image-formed surface is always facing upward, so the operator can Even during image formation, it can be confirmed that the image is properly formed by simply looking into the gap R. Furthermore, although not shown in this embodiment, a plurality of originals are taken out in succession starting from the last page and placed on the platen glass.
When using a general automatic document feeder that transports the original documents in the second place, the copied sheets are stacked in the gap R according to the order in which the originals were copied, and the sheets are already aligned when the copied sheets are taken out, which is extremely convenient. be effective.

In this way, making these transport paths selectable not only makes effective use of space, but also allows for adaptation to various configurations and situations, greatly increasing versatility and providing unique effects. It is something that can be done.

Next, the copying operation of the electronic copying machine 1 described above in detail will be described. First, a document is set on the platen glass 3, a transport path is selected using the transport path selection key 74, and then the copy key 61 is turned on. As a result, the exposure lamp 5 is turned on and the first and second carriages are moved along the platen glass 3. By this movement, light is scanned on the original, and the light reflected through the original is sent to the lens 45 via the first to third reflection mirrors 52, 53, and 54, and further passes through the lens 45. and the fourth to sixth reflecting mirrors 56, 57, 58 and the slit glass 5.
The image is formed on the photoreceptor 20 via the photoreceptor 9 . The surface of the photoreceptor 20 is charged by a charger 21, and an electrostatic latent image of the document is formed by this image formation. This electrostatic latent image is developed by being supplied with developer by the developing device 23.

On the other hand, at this time, the paper sheets P1 and P2 are taken out from the paper feed cassette 10 or 11 by the pickup roller 37, separated one by one by the separating and conveying means 38, and sent to the registration rollers 32. After the skew of the leading edge of the paper is aligned by the registration roller 32, the paper is sent to the image transfer section 30 between the photoreceptor 20 and the transfer charger 25,
The developer image on the photoreceptor 20 is transferred. The paper to which this image has been transferred is peeled off from the photoreceptor 20 by the action of the peeling charger 26, and is conveyed by the conveyor belt 36.

Then, this sheet is sent to the fixing device 33 to have the image fixed thereon, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 or the gap R as described above according to the selection state of the conveyance path by the conveyance path selection key 74.

Here, a detector for detecting attachment and detachment of the paper ejection tray 12, which is detachably attached, may be provided near the mounting portion of the paper ejection tray 12. In such a configuration, when the detector detects that the paper ejection tray 12 is not attached, the main processor 80 selects the transport path selection key 74.
Among the transport path selection states, setting of the state in which paper is ejected to the paper output tray 12 is prohibited, and the display 7 on the operation panel 60
4a % 74 b is displayed, and output tray 12 is not installed.
It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the paper is conveyed in the direction shown in FIG. Furthermore, with this configuration, the paper discharge tray 12 can be removed as appropriate in order to reduce the space required for installing the apparatus main body 1, which is extremely convenient.

Incidentally, an opening/closing unit 90 forming the conveying path 31 is provided in the apparatus main body 1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear side of the opening/closing unit 90 is connected to It is rotatably attached to the main body frame 94. A locking tool 93 is attached to the central portion of the front side of the opening/closing unit 90. This locking tool 9
3 is composed of a hook portion 95 that is engaged with and detached from the main body frame 94, and a handle portion 96 that rotates the hook portion 95. Further, the opening/closing unit 90 has a balancer 9
7, and when the locking tool 93 is unlocked, the opening/closing unit 90 is gently rotated downward.

The opening/closing unit 90 configured in this manner includes the lower roller 32a1 of the registration roller 32, the transfer charger 25, the peeling charger 26, the conveyor belt 36, and the roller 3.
4a are arranged so as to be integrally operable.

On the other hand, as described above, a gap R for paper removal is formed in the front central part of the apparatus main body 1, and the opening/closing unit 90
When opened downward, the space R is configured such that it can be visually observed by the operator within the space R.

The operation of the opening/closing unit 90 having such a configuration will be explained. First, assuming a situation where paper is jammed in the conveyance path 31 during image formation as described above, in order to remove the jammed paper, the operator must release the locking tool 93 of the opening/closing unit 90, as shown in FIG. Operate the handle part 96 by placing your hand on the handle part 96 and insert the hook part 95 into the locking hole 9 of the main body frame 94.
Remove from 4a. As a result, the opening/closing unit 90 is opened by gently rotating downward about the support shaft 92 due to its own weight, and moves to a visible part of the paper removal gap R of the apparatus main body 1. By this movement, the operator moves the paper Pi (P2) from the gap R as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
You can visually check the paper Pi (P2) by inserting your hand into the gap R.
remove. In this manner, after removing the paper, lift the opening/closing unit 90 upward again and rotate it to lock the hook portion 95 of the locking tool 93 into the locking hole 94a of the main body frame 94.
It locks and closes.

As described above, the opening/closing unit 90 includes the lightweight registration roller 32a1 transfer charger 25 and the peeling charger 26.
, the conveyor belt 36, and the roller 34a are disposed, and the opening/closing unit 90 is opened to remove the jammed paper. Therefore, the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing unit 90 is facilitated, the opening/closing mechanism can be simplified, and costs can be reduced. .

Also, when removing this jammed paper, make sure that the platen glass 3
does not move at all, so even if something is on the platen glass 3, it will not fall.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment (
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an opening/closing cover 101 that can close the gap R in the main body 1 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 11, this opening/closing cover 101 has a shaft 102 attached to the tip of the opening/closing unit 90.
As shown in FIG. 12, the spring 103 is biased in a direction to close the gap R. As shown in FIG.

Further, the tip of the opening/closing cover 101 is bent, and this bent portion 101a faces a guide portion 105 provided at the lower end of the gap R.

Therefore, when the opening/closing unit 90 is opened, as shown in FIG. 13, as the opening/closing unit 90 rotates downward, the opening/closing cover 101 is pushed in the direction of the arrow by the bending part 101a or the guide part 105. . As a result, the opening/closing cover 101 is rotated inward and folded against the biasing force of the spring 103, as shown in FIG. 14, and the gap R is opened.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the opening/closing unit 90 is lifted upward and closed, the opening/closing cover 101
rotates in the direction of the arrow due to the urging force of the spring 103,
Close the gap R.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, jammed paper can be removed by moving the opening/closing unit to the gap formed below the half-travel path without dividing the main body of the device into two casings. Compared to moving the housing for removal, the required space and mechanism are extremely small, and the developer does not spill out from the developing device, cleaning device, etc. Furthermore, since the sheet on which images have been formed is conveyed to the above-mentioned gap, not only can the gap be used effectively, but also the paper discharge l/ray can be removed, and the space reserved for the paper discharge tray can also be eliminated. Moreover, since the conveyance means can be selected in the space according to the purpose, the apparatus can be highly versatile.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the inside of the electronic copying machine, Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing the electronic copying machine, Fig. 3 is a front view showing the operation panel, and Fig. 4 mainly relates to the selection of the conveyance path. A block diagram showing the control unit, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the opening/closing unit, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the structure of the opening/closing unit installation, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the paper removal operation. Explanatory drawing, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the handle part of the lock part of the opening/closing unit;
Figures 10 to 15 show other embodiments of the present invention, in which Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an opening/closing cover that opens and closes a gap in the main body of the device, and Figure 11 shows the installation structure of the opening/closing cover. A side view, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the biasing structure of the opening/closing cover, and FIGS. 13 to 15 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the opening/closing cover. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Copying machine main body, R... Gap, 20... Photoreceptor, 25... Transfer charger, 35a... Switch, 40... Gate, 42... Gate, 43a, 4
7...Switch, 60...Operation panel, 74...
Conveyance path switching key 90/opening/closing unit agent Patent attorney Nori Chika Ken Butsuma Yama

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) While forming an image on the image carrier, the first conveying means guides and conveys the paper between the image bearing body and a transfer means disposed opposite to the image carrier, and the transfer means In an image forming apparatus in which the first transport means transports the paper downstream after transferring the image formed on the image carrier onto a sheet of paper, the first transport means and the transfer means are transferred from the image carrier to the image forming apparatus. A gap is formed in the main body of the apparatus so as to allow the first conveying means to move apart due to the action of the supporting means, and the supporting means supports the first conveying means so as to be movable in the direction of separation. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second conveyance means that guides and conveys the paper conveyed by the first conveyance means. (2) Claim 1, characterized in that the second conveyance means has a guide member that guides the sheet in reverse with respect to the gap.
The image forming apparatus described in . (3) The image according to claim 1, wherein the second conveying means is a conveying means that guides and conveys the paper by switching the trailing edge side of the sheet to the leading edge when the first conveying means conveys the sheet. Forming device. (4) While forming an image on the image carrier, the first conveying means guides and conveys the paper between the image bearing body and a transfer means disposed opposite to the image carrier, and the transfer means In an image forming apparatus in which the first transport means transports the paper downstream after transferring the image formed on the image carrier onto a sheet of paper, the first transport means and the transfer means are transferred from the image carrier to the image forming apparatus. A gap is formed in the main body of the apparatus so as to allow the first conveying means to move apart due to the action of the supporting means, and the supporting means supports the first conveying means so as to be movable in the direction of separation. a second conveying means for reversing and conveying the paper conveyed by the first conveying means; and switching the trailing edge side of the paper when the paper is conveyed by the first conveying means to the leading edge with respect to the gap; an image forming apparatus comprising: a third conveying means for guiding and conveying; and a setting means for selecting and setting which one of the third conveying means and the second conveying means to use. .